Industry News

2014 AHR Expo Largest in Northeast NEW YORK—The 2014 AHR Expo, held this week in New York, is the largest AHR Expo held in the Northeast. More than 1,800 exhibiting companies are covering more than eight acres (3.2 ha) of exhibit space. Attendance is strong as well for the Show, which ends at 4 p.m. on Jan. 23. This year’s Show has been sold out for some time. Snow didn’t seem to dampen spirits on the first day of the Expo. Thousands were waiting when doors opened at 10 a.m. on Jan. 21. Energy-efficient products and generally "what's new" were what attendees said lured them from throughout the world.

Emerson Climate Technologies Captures 2014 Innovation Awards Product of Year NEW YORK—The Next Generation Copeland Scroll variable speed compressor product line from Emerson Climate Technologies was named the "Product of the Year" at the Innovation Awards ceremony at the 2014 AHR Expo. The product was one of 10 products selected to receive Innovation Awards in various industry-related categories. The Emerson product was the winner in the Cooling category. The product features the second generation of the company’s variable speed technology. It can achieve cooling efficiency levels of 25+ SEER and heating efficiency up to 13 HSPF. A turndown of 20% capacity enables better light load efficiency and dehumidification. Other features include a brushless permanent magnet motor and a new gas management method for smooth gas flow into scroll set.

DOE Revises Rule Governing HVAC&R Product Testing WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has finalized new methods for rating and certifying commercial HVAC&R equipment. DOE's existing testing regulations allow the use of alternative efficiency determination methods (AEDMs)—computer modeling tools that predict the performance of nontested basic models. AEDMs enable manufacturers to rate and certify their basic models by using the projected energy use or energy efficiency results derived from these simulation models in lieu of testing. AEDMs have previously been allowed for commercial HVAC equipment and water heating equipment. The new rule permits manufacturers to use AEDMs when certifying commercial refrigeration equipment, automatic commercial ice makers, beverage vending machines, and walk-in coolers and freezers. In addition, the DOE ruling covers specifics such as test procedures, methods that DOE would employ to determine if an AEDM had been used appropriately by a manufacturer, and the consequences if it had not been. It also amends the compliance dates for the initial certification of commercial HVAC, water heating and refrigeration equipment.

Click here to learn more about DOE's Rulemaking regarding HVAC equipment and AEDMs.

California Forecasts Energy Efficiency Will Mitigate Need for New Power Plants SACRAMENTO, Calif.—For the first time, the California Energy Commission (CEC) has used energy efficiency as a significant factor in its forecast of the state’s energy needs for the coming decade. The recently approved 2013 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) is the starting point to determine whether the state needs new power plants, transmission lines or other grid infrastructure. The objective of the IEPR is to evaluate market trends and develop energy policies that will “conserve resources, protect the environment, ensure energy reliability, enhance the state's economy, and protect public health and safety.” Historically, the CEC did not include future energy efficiency plans in its forecast. But its new statewide energy forecast relies on more than 5,000 MW of energy savings that are part of the state’s efficiency programs and rules plans. That is the equivalent of 10 large conventional power plants. The ongoing savings from past energy-efficiency programs, building codes, and appliance standards, coupled with planned continued energy efficiency progress significantly reduces California’s predicted energy consumption. According to the CEC, “the agreed-upon scenario anticipates nearly flat load growth over the next 10 years.” Read more

Construction Industry in 2014 to Build Upon 2013 Growth, Says Report PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Construction spending for 2013 finished the year 5% higher than in 2012, according to the Winter 2013 edition of Construction Economics—Market Conditions in Construction. The report, by Gilbane, one of the largest privately held, family-owned real estate development and construction firms in the U.S., also forecast that growth in the construction industry should continue in 2014."I expect margins and overall escalation to climb more rapidly than we have seen in five years." says Ed Zarenski, who authored the report. Read more

DuPont Adds Security Measure to Packaging to Fight Refrigerant Counterfeiting WILMINGTON, Del.—DuPont Refrigerants has added a new technology to its refrigerant containers to enable customers to verify that the contents are genuine DuPont products. Containers will now feature the new DuPont Security Shrink Sleeve. The security shrink sleeve has an iridescent background that changes colors from pink to green as it reflects light. DuPont is implementing the additional security measure as part of its efforts to combat refrigerant counterfeiting in the global marketplace. Read more

ASHRAE News

ASHRAE Recognizes Outstanding HVAC&R Industry Achievements NEW YORK—Forty-six people were recognized by ASHRAE for their contributions to the Society and the building industry during the recent 2014 ASHRAE Winter Conference. The F. Paul Anderson Award, the Society’s highest honor, is awarded for notable achievement of outstanding services performed in the HVAC&R field. The recipient is Presidential Member Kent Peterson, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, ASHRAE-Certified Building Energy Assessment Professional. The Hall of Fame honors deceased members of the Society who have made milestone contributions to the growth of HVAC&R technology. The recipient is Fred Wolf Jr., who contributed to the development of home refrigeration and played an active role in mass-marketing one of the first simple, inexpensive household refrigerators, the DOMELRE, in 1913. In addition, the Society elevated 15 members to the grade of Fellow ASHRAE, the membership grade that recognizes members who have attained distinction and made substantial contributions. Read more

ASHRAE Publishes Latest Edition of GreenGuide The newly published ASHRAE GreenGuide: Design, Construction, and Operation of Sustainable Buildings, 4th Edition, contains updated guidance that reflects how green building practices as well as the industry have changed. According to Tom Lawrence, a member of ASHRAE Technical Committee TC 2.8, Building Environmental Impacts and Sustainability, the fourth edition contains several important changes. The changes include a complete revision of the indoor environmental quality chapter, with much of the content based on ASHRAE's Indoor Air Quality Guide: Best Practices for Design, Construction and Commissioning. Another is a new chapter on sustainable sites. Also, as in previous editions, the book contains "GreenTips," sidebars containing information on techniques, processes, measures or systems. There are 44 GreenTips in this edition, including new ones on topics such as condensing boilers, rain gardens, green roofs and data centers. The book now contains figures printed in color, making them easier to read. The GreenGuide is available as a hard copy, or as PDF and ebook (.epub) for download. Read more

Feature of the Week

Energy Modeling BasicsBy Jared A. Higgins, P.E., Member ASHRAE According to the author, making a precise energy model capable of estimating the building’s energy use is difficult because of the assumptions that have to be made and evaluated throughout the modeling process. So, learning about energy modeling means more than simply constructing or reconstructing a building in a software program.

This article originally was published in December 2012. Click here to download the article. It will be available here through Feb. 7.

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Product News

VRF Heating/Cooling Systems From Panasonic SECAUCUS, N.J.—Panasonic Heating & Air Conditioning group introduces the ECOi EX Series of variable refrigerant flow, multizone, heat pump and heat recovery systems. The combined ECOi EX two-way conditioning solution is designed for large-capacity applications. The two-way mini ECOi is a two-pipe heat pump specifically designed for commercial and premium residential applications. To reduce air resistance, the system features a single-surface fan guard instead of a 3-D guard with five surfaces Also, a curved bell mouth assures smooth exhaust flow.

Data Logger From Onset BOURNE, Mass.—Onset announces the HOBO UX120-006M analog data logger for building performance monitoring applications. The device features a deployment-friendly LCD, and support for up to four external sensors for measuring temperature, current, CO2, voltage, and more.

Building Management System From AlertonREDMOND, Wash.—Alerton introduces Ascent Building Management System, which uses a combination of BACnet® and Tridium's Niagara Framework for effective integration of multiple building systems. Ascent is comprised of three products: Ascent Microset 4 wall sensor; Ascent Control Module global controller; and Ascent Compass software. The product suite is designed to simplify monitoring and control of HVAC systems, and provides an open protocol for integration with other building systems, including lighting; security/access control; fire and life safety; and specialized needs such as emergency and critical systems monitoring in hospitals.

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